Some UC Santa Cruz graduate students have announced they will begin an unsanctioned, open-ended labor strike starting on Monday, Feb. 10. While we do not know how this strike will impact campus, organizers have said in an email to campus leaders they will not be teaching, grading, holding office hours, and/or conducting research. Picketing at the base of campus is also anticipated.
While campus leaders have recently been in dialogue with leaders of the Graduate Student Association to prevent escalating strike activities, the campus community should be ready in the event of strike activities Monday.
UC Santa Cruz graduate students employed as academic student employees are currently represented by the United Autoworkers and under a systemwide contract that was ratified in 2018. This strike is prohibited under their current contract, and it is not sanctioned by their union. UC Santa Cruz has no authority to separately change an already agreed-upon, system-wide labor contract with the UAW.
The campus is working to do everything it can to support students and ensure continued operations.
Students can notify the campus of canceled classes so that the university can help make sure they are getting the education they deserve.
Campus shuttles and Metro buses are expected to run with regular routes.
Updates on campus operations will be shared at ucsc.edu/status, 459-INFO, and on the campus Twitter account. All employees should remain in contact with their supervisors and managers to discuss their schedules and work locations in the event of campus disruptions.
